POLL: Should Cape Town Airport be renamed to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Airport?

Cape Town – Should Cape Town International Airport be renamed to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela International Airport?

The debate was started by Julius Malema in his speech at the struggle stalwart’s funeral over the weekend, and soon after the airport’s Wikipedia entry was changed to reflect Winnie Madikizela-Mandela International Airport as the city’s only airport.

Although the page has been changed back to its original content, the effect of his words remains on social media. It has also been confirmed by the transport ministry that Madikizela-Mandela is on the list of names submitted for the renaming of the airport, alongside Nelson Mandela, Albertina Sisulu and Robert Sobukwe.

A petition has also been started on Change.org and has so far garnered 2 280 signatures in two days.

Many on Twitter lauded the suggestions, while some feel like Madikizela-Mandela does not have enough of a connection with Cape Town and others think she should rather be honoured with a new building or bursaries that reflect the issues she was passionate about.